Hoshie is correct about the LG Course helmet. Most tests indicate that it is faster than a regular road helmet, but not qute as fast as a TT lid. The Specialized Evade apparently tests a bit better than the Course, but the COurse looks much more like a normal road lid.

Keith, my take is on these lids is similar to aero road frames - if you are a performance-based cyclist, then you should be considering it. Use every advantage you can to your benefit......

I'm not saying dump what you are using now, but when it comes time to get something new, they should be strongly considered. And the reality is that for the lids, they are gonna become much more of the "norm" before too long....so if you want that advantage, be an early adopter!!

I really can't get past how unbelievably dorky these helmets look!! Maybe I'm a victim of fashion but I've purchased new helmets simply because of the styling or graphics. I'm not alone, that's for certain. The POC helmets are even worse! In fact, I really can't imagine how a helmet could be made any uglier.

Kinda similar to Google Glass. Sure, it's super advanced but not yet accepted by a general audience. It looks weird and, frankly, dorky. Same thing with these aero helmets. They may be fast but they have a LONG way to go before they are desirable at all. Things started going downhill when the UCI made it mandatory that aero helmets be protective rather than a fairing. Again, I'm only talking about the aesthetics, not safety. Not going to argue about that.

My final point is that it's much easier to get people to actually use a safety device when it doesn't look dumb.

Well, you certainly aren't gonna get me to defend the styling of those lids, that's for sure....and don't even get me started on the POC lids. And if the style of the helmets is important, I get that...but just understand what you are leaving on the table in terms of performance.

But as I said, these are just the first-gen aero road lids. They are gonna improve....and the LG Course is already a good lid aero-wise and looks like a normal lid.

I have a problem with the phrase, "leaving on the table in terms of performance," when it comes to a helmet. There are way too many variables in a mass start road race for anyone to say that the aerodynamics of their helmet improved their performance.

In time trials...ok. Maybe. But a mass start event? I have yet to see any evidence to see that these helmets make a difference that made real world sense.

Does anybody really think that helmet aerodynamics made any difference in either finales yesterday?

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It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong.

I can't say I notice any aero benefit at all from m Air attack. But the lack of vents keeps the sun off my hairless head and that is a benefit for the fishbellywhite guys like me. I like how the Giro looks though. Clean and smooth, no fins or other oddities. I find those Orbea helmets odd looking. Like they are sideways or something.

Andy, wear a Pace skull cap. I use them year-round. So many benefits, I never ride without. Keeps sweat out of my eyes in summer and means I can use a lot less suntan over my eyes so less risk of that getting in my eyes. Really big benefit - keeps my helmet (and hats in cooler weather) clean! I use a clean cap each ride and toss in with the laundry when I get home. Never have to put my head into a stinking helmet (and wash my helmets far less often). The Pace skullcaps don't have tails or anything else in back except a toggle that fits nicely above the helmet band in every helmet I've used so with helmet it is near invisible.

No Pace in Canada Ben. As far as I can tell anyway. There are others that I have tried but they seem to be one size fits others. I can usually overwhelm any sweat holder thing anyway so i I don't bother. This sweat buster does work pretty well though .http://www.traxfactory.com/ I got one for free and should probably get a few more. It makes my Lazer helmet usable. I don't know why but the Lazer Genesis funnels sweat into my right eye. And with essentially no hair, I am plenty cool.

OF, I have the same issues with too little hair and too much sweat, and have had pretty good luck with the headsweats "shorty". The little tail seems to carry away a lot of moisture. I use the plain headsweats beanie under ski and motorcycle helmets to keep them cleaner. It's like the pace but I think a little thinner.

Posted By Keith Jackson on 03/27/2014 11:39 AM
I have a problem with the phrase, "leaving on the table in terms of performance," when it comes to a helmet. There are way too many variables in a mass start road race for anyone to say that the aerodynamics of their helmet improved their performance.

In time trials...ok. Maybe. But a mass start event? I have yet to see any evidence to see that these helmets make a difference that made real world sense.

Does anybody really think that helmet aerodynamics made any difference in either finales yesterday?

Watts saved is watts saved....sure, the benefit is smaller when riding in a bunch, but the laws of physics don't get suspended in the peloton. And wattage saved anywhere is energy you have at the end of the race. It is not all about the sprint to the line.
And regardless of the variables involved, an aero lid will be faster...period. Will it make a difference in your result, as it related to placing? Dunno....but your result will be "better".
Specialized's data below.....including a 200m sprint.